Meath Forum

Meath 2026

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After seeing both teams, Derry are taking no chances with us and are more or less at full strength the same as ourselves.

Kinsella is a loss to us but again he only played a year with Meath so it's not as if he is a McGuigan, Rogers or Glass who have been mainstays for years.

Our fullback line is going to be so important shutting down McGuigan and Murray.

Our midfield will also be under pressure against one of the best partnerships in the country, this will be a real acid test for us.

At the back, I do think Derry can be got at and would expect Morris and Curtis to do the majority of our scoring. Frayne is a good boost and again will take marking as he can score heavily if given space. Costello, Coffey, Caufield and Keoghan needs to bring their running game as well just to add a different dimension to our attack.

Meath by 4 after a real armwrestle

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 463 - 23/01/2026 11:56:28    2652686

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Replying To trimmer:  "Predictions for the Derry match? I'll say Derry +5"
Based off there brilliant form from last year ?

I think we could edge them by a point or two. You'd back rafferty to do a good job on mcguigan but one of the corner backs will have to stop Murray as well.

Worried about the midfield battle, they have one of the strongest pairs in the country

Royal.1 (Meath) - Posts: 43 - 23/01/2026 12:11:31    2652693

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I expect Kinsella to start and Banty to be on the bench so would give Meath an edge here.

Derry's keeper is not great and their full back line isn't either so I expect us to take advantage of that. For the first time in a while we will have real difference makers of the bench. Mcbride has been flying as has lynch, conlon was superb in a challenge last weekend and the likes of Killian Smyth have been going well.

It will be a great test and whoever wins is probably going to get promoted.

contributingtoamelee (Meath) - Posts: 81 - 23/01/2026 12:48:29    2652704

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Is Grey injured ??
Im not sure about Menton and Flynn as a midfield pairing just worry they both lack a little bit of speed and Derry have 2 midfielders who like to get forward .
Im Really looking forward to the game its only the first game of the league but its a huge game for both teams . Kinsella is a big loss but we are always going to have injuries especially when the gaa continue to play two competitions at the same time .
Crazy that players will be asked to play league this weekend Sigerson on Tuesday night League the following weekend and Sigerson semi and final that week a recipe for injuries.
Sigerson should start in mid November and be finished by now .

Royalmc (Meath) - Posts: 19 - 23/01/2026 13:05:19    2652714

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "A real gripe I have with the GAA is the complete lack of clarity around televised and streamed fixtures.

It shouldn't be this hard to find an official, reliable, chronological schedule of what games are being broadcast and where. Last year during the Super 8s it was the same story even with dates and venues - supporters trying to plan commitments, missing out on ticket bundles or discounts, all because information came out late or in bits and pieces.

Even now, I've seen conflicting articles on whether the Meath game is televised. That simply shouldn't happen.

The GAA needs to take ownership of this and be information-forward. One official source, updated consistently, promoted properly. At this point, it's basic supporter experience."
TG4 schedule for all games for league was poster on main page of this site on 21st,
https://hoganstand.com/Meath/Article/Index/339077

for this weekend the fixture on tv or steamed are listed on main page today.
https://hoganstand.com/Meath/Article/Index/339099.

Islander21 (Meath) - Posts: 35 - 23/01/2026 13:11:58    2652717

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "After seeing both teams, Derry are taking no chances with us and are more or less at full strength the same as ourselves.

Kinsella is a loss to us but again he only played a year with Meath so it's not as if he is a McGuigan, Rogers or Glass who have been mainstays for years.

Our fullback line is going to be so important shutting down McGuigan and Murray.

Our midfield will also be under pressure against one of the best partnerships in the country, this will be a real acid test for us.

At the back, I do think Derry can be got at and would expect Morris and Curtis to do the majority of our scoring. Frayne is a good boost and again will take marking as he can score heavily if given space. Costello, Coffey, Caufield and Keoghan needs to bring their running game as well just to add a different dimension to our attack.

Meath by 4 after a real armwrestle"
Yeah I think both teams know they need to win this one if you want any chance of promotion. First real competitive game of the year, and you just never know where the legs or fitness is at.

If we get over the line here, there's a very strong chance we could be 3/3 going into that Tyrone game. We've started slow over the last coupe of years, so getting off to a good start will be key.

The team is about as strong as it gets for us minus Kinsella. The bench looks strong too, the likes of Charlie O'Connor, Jack O'Connor, Killian Smyth can make a difference, good to see Jason Scully back in there too. But huge massive test, but a great opportunity too.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 114 - 23/01/2026 14:13:56    2652729

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Replying To Royalmc:  "Is Grey injured ??
Im not sure about Menton and Flynn as a midfield pairing just worry they both lack a little bit of speed and Derry have 2 midfielders who like to get forward .
Im Really looking forward to the game its only the first game of the league but its a huge game for both teams . Kinsella is a big loss but we are always going to have injuries especially when the gaa continue to play two competitions at the same time .
Crazy that players will be asked to play league this weekend Sigerson on Tuesday night League the following weekend and Sigerson semi and final that week a recipe for injuries.
Sigerson should start in mid November and be finished by now ."
No, Conor Gray is not injured. Just not picked.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 23/01/2026 17:33:58    2652779

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "No, Conor Gray is not injured. Just not picked."
Would hazard a guess that it is the fact he is injury prone and played on Wedneaday and will be out again next week so they have to manage minutes

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 463 - 23/01/2026 19:19:07    2652794

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "No, Conor Gray is not injured. Just not picked."
Should be on the subs atleast, he's improved so much and was by far the best player for Dunshaughlin in 2025 ahead of Kinsella Duke and Costello

Dunshaughlin4keegan (Meath) - Posts: 23 - 23/01/2026 21:50:49    2652820

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Strong team selection. Brennan must think the extra time he has had with the core 15 will develop them further, which in turn lessens the usual the demand for new players. That's consecutive years now of players returning to the squad, as opposed to the usual one or two leaving due to various life commitments, and that continuity is massive. Look at Armagh - they kept a core together for years and eventually climbed the ladder.

They had a heavy schedule last year and picked up plenty of knocks, which does make you wonder if naming a first 15 for the opening game of the season is a recipe for disaster. Over the last 12 months, the only thing that really changed the team was injury.

Strangely midfield is a slight worry for today, but that won't always be the case. You have to remember Derry have two all stars there. I think glass is just such a cool customer he would start on any 15.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 24/01/2026 08:48:06    2652845

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Would hazard a guess that it is the fact he is injury prone and played on Wedneaday and will be out again next week so they have to manage minutes"
This is probably true but there are likely to be a couple of changes to the squad at least so may be best hold off on judements just yet. Suprised to see Ronan Ryan fit and available. Still not certain Frayne will start after the lay off. I think while Derry are strong at midfield, it is more that they are really good ball carriers and play makers and get around the field well. However our midfield should be well able to cope with them in the air and their goalkeeper is not a regular. Derry will play very similarly to Donegal last year with limited risk and lots of ball carrying so will be an interesting match. Our fullbackline will have to be on their toes as very good inside forwards. Seems to be quite breezy so perhaps a game of two halves.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 906 - 24/01/2026 11:36:35    2652865

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A very very composed performance in awful conditions.

Recovered from the slow start, hit the purple patch and then held off any major pressure from Derry in second half.

Great to get off the board before heading to Breffni next week. A great Saturday for Meath GAA in general with the hurlers pulling off the slight surprise in Trim!

RR (Meath) - Posts: 190 - 24/01/2026 16:51:23    2652919

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Great win and a huge boost for the start of 2026. Not taking away from the win but I would be worried about the chances Derry got. Missed 12 compared to our 7. We were lucky to not concede more goals. We won't panic yet but think we have a bit of work to do in our FB line and centre protection.

Royalroyal97 (Meath) - Posts: 18 - 24/01/2026 17:11:24    2652922

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Great start to league. Meath much more direct whereas Derry seemed to pass just for the sake of it and wanted to walk ball in at times. A deserved win to get things underway.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2231 - 24/01/2026 17:18:42    2652924

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Good solid win, collectively Derry aren't the Derry of a couple years ago but individually they have some very very good players. Derry and Tyrone were favourites to go up.so we've put ourselves in a position to stay in the charge on that front.

My initial impression . (1)They look fit. (2) It looks like there is a real emphasis on forwards tackling and harrying.(3) Flynns presence is massive but when he's on Costello/Morris don't touch the ball. (4) Goal chances, not really clear cut ones made. (5) With such an attacking midfielder in Flynn it does allow a worker like O'Neill to start. (6) I would like to see more out of the bench earlier. (7) Coffey is an unsung hero, he's everywhere. (8) Game plan or lack of one. We're very off the cuff.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 24/01/2026 17:29:58    2652926

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Great result. Flynn was excellent and needs to use this match as a platform of what he can do going forward.

Overall it was an excellent team performance but there were a good few players below par.

Rafferty was miles off McGuigan.

We done very well at midfield given it was against Rogers and Glass. McBride had a great performance when he came on. O Neill's work rate around the pitch was immense.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 463 - 24/01/2026 17:31:15    2652927

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "Good solid win, collectively Derry aren't the Derry of a couple years ago but individually they have some very very good players. Derry and Tyrone were favourites to go up.so we've put ourselves in a position to stay in the charge on that front.

My initial impression . (1)They look fit. (2) It looks like there is a real emphasis on forwards tackling and harrying.(3) Flynns presence is massive but when he's on Costello/Morris don't touch the ball. (4) Goal chances, not really clear cut ones made. (5) With such an attacking midfielder in Flynn it does allow a worker like O'Neill to start. (6) I would like to see more out of the bench earlier. (7) Coffey is an unsung hero, he's everywhere. (8) Game plan or lack of one. We're very off the cuff."
Interesting point on Flynn and I thought the same. He played great and the scores were unbelievable, but he often took way too much out of the ball and backed himself a bit too much.

Still though it's a good sign that Morris and Costello were quiet and we scored 19 and won.

Spoofer (Meath) - Posts: 60 - 24/01/2026 17:50:13    2652935

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Very satisfying win, meath have struggled to beat good Ulster teams for a long time. Thought Meath were the much better team. Costello, Duke or Kinsella didn't score from play, Sean Brennan threw one into our net, Lavin butchered a great goal chance by taking a selfish option and we still won comfortably enough.

Jack Flynn obviously had an unreal day with his shooting but would love for him to cut down on some of the turnovers and to look up and get more of his teammates involved.

Cian McBride dominated when he came on, not sure Robbie can keep him out of the starting team much longer. He's just backing up his terrific pre season and sigerson form, delighted for him.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 24/01/2026 18:49:49    2652951

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "Good solid win, collectively Derry aren't the Derry of a couple years ago but individually they have some very very good players. Derry and Tyrone were favourites to go up.so we've put ourselves in a position to stay in the charge on that front.

My initial impression . (1)They look fit. (2) It looks like there is a real emphasis on forwards tackling and harrying.(3) Flynns presence is massive but when he's on Costello/Morris don't touch the ball. (4) Goal chances, not really clear cut ones made. (5) With such an attacking midfielder in Flynn it does allow a worker like O'Neill to start. (6) I would like to see more out of the bench earlier. (7) Coffey is an unsung hero, he's everywhere. (8) Game plan or lack of one. We're very off the cuff."
There is a serious gameplan there, and i hope you arent saying off the cuff is a negative. Its our off the cuff players that have us back heading towards where we want to be. Derry had 1, we had about 5. Derrys over powering gameplan was the reason they looked so overcoached and couldn't score unless right in front of goal bar a couple of shots. Meath have a clear ganeplan and then im quiet happy to let Morris costello kinsella conlon play the way they want when they get the ball, if they make a mistake so be it

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1047 - 24/01/2026 18:56:57    2652953

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Very important win and some excellant performances with Flynn the obvious one but O'Halloran, Coffey and Caulfield were excellant in defence and McBride had a huge impact off the bench. Thought Morris and Frayne were lively with limited ball while Conlon was buzzing around when he came in. Conditions were tough for our silky skillful players like Costello and Kinsella and both will be better. Kinsella just back and good he got through most of game. The really good thing is that the squad is building nicely and this will be crucial with games coming thick and fast. On to Breffni park next weekend for another winter football battle so all the squad and management will have to be ready for another fight.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 906 - 24/01/2026 21:46:57    2652977

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